2025-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 24 March 2025 to 31 December 2025

Charity name: The Little Links Trust

Charity registration number: 1212660

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	1. The object of the CIO is to relieve the needs of children and young people who are receiving treatment for cancer or other serious conditions or palliative care and the needs of their siblings: 1. (a) by providing opportunities to strengthen their relationships through the provision of gifts and accompanying messages to their siblings so that families remain connected at a time when opportunities for direct contact may be limited by treatment and when the focus of parents or guardians will be on the child or young person receiving treatment; and 2. (b) by making grants to other charitable organisations that are established for the relief of sickness. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposesfor the public	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The main activities once launched in 2026 will comprise the following

benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.		- Working alongside hospice teams and charities working within NHS Trusts as appropriate to provide (through our website) the provision of gifts for siblings of those sick children and young adults. Where there are four or less siblings these will be individual gifts – where there five or more siblings this will be by way of a family gift. The sick child or young adult will also be able to include a message to each of their siblings.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Trustees can confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. The Little Links Trust was established solely for charitable purposes (intending to support the siblings of children/young adults who are sick) and its objects are drafted to provide a public benefit to an element of society. Providing keepsake gifts to siblings at no cost to those families is the key object of the charity. The Trustees believe that The Little Links Trust’s object benefits a section of the public but that section is appropriate in relation to the same. There is an opportunity, given the simple nature of its structure, for the charity to expand to other hospices or working within other hospital trusts to increase a larger section of the public in the future, when resources permit. Furthermore, it is the Trustees’ opinion that The Little Links Trust addresses the particular needs of a group of people with a particular need

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	It is the stated intention within the objects of The Little Links Trust to provide donations to charities working within hospital trusts or to children’s hospices who support delivery of the charity’s objects. This will be limited to 5% of net income with a cap of £5,000 and subject to Trustee approval. The Trustees will not make payments until the end of the first full financial year (1 January – 31 December 2026). No payments have been made therefore in the first (part) year of The Little Links Trust.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	For the financial year ending 31 December 2025 The Little Links Trust has not made any social investments.

Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The Little Links Trust had seven Trustees at the point of registration. In the CIO, provision is made to allow the charity to increase this number as required. No further appointments have been made in the financial year ending 31 December 2025. These Trustees for the financial year were:- Ms N Carrick – Chair Mrs A Mullins Mrs B Joshi Miss L Zneimer Mr T Thorpe Mrs T Wilson Mrs H Snooks The Trustees have determined specific roles within the charity dependent upon their expertise. Given the size of the charity, however, currently it is accepted that it is the responsibility of all Trustees to seek to identify potential funding sources. Sub committees have been created within a minimum of two Trustees for the following:- • Finances and accounting • Fundraising • Merchandising • Retailer liaison • Charities working within hospitals and appropriate hospice contacts The contribution of the Trustees is greatly appreciated and has led to securing both our first corporate sponsor and our first grant funding payment. Beyond that certain artists, who are known to Trustees, have been contacted to create bespoke artwork, which it is intended will be converted into merchandise during the course of 2026. Draft artwork for certain pieces is prepared. It is the intention of the Trustees to review the potential need for additional Trustees for the financial year 2026 as required.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

	Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	To date the charity has not formally launched but has been fundraising in order to • Complete necessary policy documentation – this is in place and will be reviewed not less than annually. In respect of privacy policies and GDPR ahead of launch these will be reviewed by Moore Barlow once the website is in place and these policies can adequately reflect the structure of the same, including platforms used to deliver the charity’s objects ie Hubspot etc. • Arrange registration with HMRC and obtain Gift Aid approval on donations – this has been completed. • Instruct a company to be able to create and run the website as delivery of our objects is primarily achieved through the same – a company has been selected following a tender process & will be instructed in Q1 2026 as part of the preparations to launch. • Agree terms for a company to provide a cloud based system for the charity including appropriate security, storage and a CRM system link to the website – a company has been selected & will be instructed in Q1 2026 as part of the preparations to launch. • Arrange appropriate insurance including cyber insurance – this is in place following a tender process. • Work with retailers to obtain consent to use their imagery on the charity’s website – this work is ongoing. • Commence fund raising to cover core charity costs – to date (31/12/2025) , this has delivered one corporate donation, with four other discussions ongoing. • Commence grant funding applications – to date (31/12/2025) one grant application has been made and this has been successful It is intended that The Little Links Trust will be formally launched in April/May 2026 at which point services will be provided to children and young adults receiving treatment or palliative care for cancer or other life limiting illnesses.

As noted above The Little Links Trust has yet to launch and commence seeking individual donations etc., which in turn would enable the charity to commence providing its service to the siblings of sick children and young adults. The Trustees are delighted and grateful, however, to have secured funding from Hammerson plc to assist with the creation of the website and discussions are ongoing with other potential sponsors. Beyond that the Trustees have accepted an interest free loan from a Trustee - designed to assist with the charity’s set up of website, legal and accountancy costs etc. and this is not repayable until certain financial milestones are met for a period of time, thereby ensuring that the financial stability of the charity is not prejudiced by repayment of the same.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	To date The Little Links Trust has approached or been approached by 7 potential corporate sponsors. Of these, as at 31 December 2025 one has confirmed and provided a donation to the charity and discussions continue. Beyond that, the charity has been researching alternative sources of funding in terms of grants available. Of the shortlist contact has been made with a number and the application submitted to M&G plc Community Fund was successful. This work will continue into 2026.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Financial statement completed by Nunn Hayward LLP
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Little Links Trust has a stated policy whereby it intends in Years 1 & 2 following launch to seek to build up a reserve fund of approximately £64,000. It is believed that this sum would allow the charity the opportunity to run and provide its services for a period of time should funding substantially reduce.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£0
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	At present funding is being sought for the basic costs to allow the launch of the charity. Once this is completed and there are funds over and above nine months of the running costs and the charity has commenced repayment of the interest free loan, it is the intention to include this overage in an account the function of which is the necessary reserve fund.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	The charity will not launch until it has sufficient funds to pay for its set up and deliver on gifts for those children and young adults who wish to use The Little Links Trust. It is the Trustees’ belief that launching without the website, the cloud based system for the CRM and other core function and sufficient funds to deliver on the initial demand for gifts would be poor governance.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	A risk policy has been approved by the Trustees which identifies preventable, optional and external risks. These are to be revewed annually but in the first year these risks may be defined in the following categories:-

Preventable Risks
1. Strategic Risk – a failure to define
clearly TLLT’s strategy, Objects and
annual goals.
2. Insurance – it is critical that prior to
launch TLLT takes out appropriate
charity insurance.
3. Income and Sustainability – it is
important to ensure that sufficient
reserves are in place within the first
two years from launch.
4. Investment risk – the choice of
investment vehicles for both reserve
funds and income is critical.
5. Accounting and financial
management – it is critical that the
Fund shows good governance
through the application of
appropriate accounting methods.
6. Rising Costs – inflationary pressures
demand an agreed level of
inflationary rises on key costs when
completing annual budgeting.
7. Fraud – Measures will be arranged
with the charities assisting with
delivery of the objects to ensure that
gifts are supplied to siblings and that
donations are therefore
appropriately used.
8. Governance and Management –
including regular meetings, reporting
and policies.
9. Fundraising Risks
10. Cybersecurity – the need for cyber
risk to be designed into the website
and associated systems including
CRM.
11. IT Corruption – it is intended that a
computer/s is/are acquired to solely
be used for the handling of orders
made to TLLT and financial affairs
with appropriate levels of online
protection to minimise the risk of
hacking.
12. Safeguarding & GDPR
13. Reputational Risk – it is critical in the
choice of Trustees and Patrons that
we seek to minimise the potential for
reputational risk.
14. Stock Control
15. Trustee Skill Set and Gaps and
DepartureRisks – it is intended that
the skill set of the Trustees will be
reviewed annually.
16. Volunteer Risk
17. Change in/ removal of support at
particular hospitals or hospices –
flexibility is designed into the model

		to allow delivery at alternative sites should support change in intended initial sites. Optional Risk 18. Expansion Risk 19. Patrons External Risk 20. As the pandemic showed, it is not possible to control all risks but scenario planning reduces risks associated with external unplanned events. 21. Replication of the Charity – whilst TLLT is offering a service which is not currently provided to hospitals and hospices potentially, if successful, the model could be replicated and this could be through an existing much larger charity with a greater reach to potential beneficiaries. 22. Changes in government policy, economic downturns or shifts in public opinion on charitable giving may impact TLLT’s ability to continue in its current format. These changes can only be fully addressed at the point of change.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trustee Governance Document
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The Little Links Trust is constituted as a CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Further Trustees to be elected following identification of specific role requirements an invitation to be considered for the same. To be determined by quorate board meeting.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	The Little Links Trust
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1212660
Charity’s principal address	c/o Nunn Hayward 2-4 Packhorse Road Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 7QE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Ms N Carrick	Chair	24 03 2025 - 31 12 2025	Trustee Board
	Mrs A Mullins		“
	Miss L Zneimer		“
	Mrs T Wilson		“
	Mr T Thorpe		“
	Mrs B Joshi		“
	Mrs H Snooks		“

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	None
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Lawyer	Moore Barlow	Sydenham Road, Guildford GU1 3SR
Accountant	Nunn Hayward	2-4 Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross SL9 7QE

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Natalie Carrick
	Chair of Trustees
	29/03/2026
	29/03/2026

THE UTTLE LVIXS TRUST FOR ThE PERIOD ENDED 31 OECEAIBER >Y25

THE UTTLE UNKS TRUST FOR THE PERK>D EMDED 310ECEIIBER 202S INDEX c￿rity Ink¥ma ststernertrf)knial acamues BllL4nce sheet

THe L￿fLE UNKS TRU FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Chartty trfftimwiton LKRZrim T W4soA AJLWIkns HSLSr NC B K &)shl TLTWa PrfnGIW OIII¢•: Buc￿"r￿dha￿￿tr0 SL9 70E ¢h¥rlty R•9E6tr•tSon Nurol>•r. 1212660 Jm LLP 24 P￿1￿)1¥e Ro dorvJh8rTthre SL97aE Lws B￿kpLc FO Box 1C¢XI BX11LT

THE Lf￿LE UNK8 TRUST STATEMENT OF ￿mAN¢￿ ACTI1•￿ IWCUIDING IIIC(XIE AND EXPENDMJRE ACWUWT) FOR THE peRK)D tNDED 31 DECEwBeR 2025 2026 Don8Uon8 8nd WrA05 9218 Tatsl 9.218 EXp¢nd1￿I• Charitablo èxsknd 2.123 Total Exporhdliur 2,123 N•t In¢on Re¢oncMl•thn of Total fvnds txtyjght fo[￿r￿ at 24M Marth 2025 Total lunds tthed f¢]Th%wd ai 318t Dec4mber2025 The 5tat8meni offinanThal aCtI￿ties ai aT%J lo888s rwr¥R8d in IWI Incurne arNI exwThlttur8 ￿ert￿ from P808 2

THE LrrrLe UNKS TRUST BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 2025 CURRENT AssErs Debior8 CaÈh atbar* and In hond 17.094 17.094 CREDITORS ArnountsNllng du•wSthln on• s Cr&1itfKS and acuuds 10.m) NET cuRRETr￿ ASSETS NET ASSErs Fund• of Ih• Chwlty UnrBslricted lunts 3.594 3￿0 TOTAL C+IARrrY FUNDS -. 2026 sw1 o)1ts HSLSK KJ( R8grf%tsr￿ thsdty numt4r. 1212